VNA 12/10/2010 - Defence cooperation would contribute to further reinforcing the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia , Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh said while meeting with the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia in Hanoi on Oct. 12.

General Thanh hailed General Nikolai Makarov, who is also the first Deputy Defence Minister, for his presence at the first ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting - Plus (ADMM+) and contributions to the success of the meeting.

He expressed thanks for valuable sentiments and assistance the army and people of the former Soviet Union and the current Russian Federation have offered to the Vietnamese army and people in past years.

General Thanh also expressed his wishes that following the first ADMM+ in Hanoi , Vietnam would further see active contributions by the Russian Defence Ministry and other countries to make ADMM+ a really highest defence cooperation mechanism between ASEAN Defence Ministers and eight dialogue partners, strengthening peace, stability and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

General Nikolai Makarov congratulated Vietnam on its successful organisation of ADMM+ and spoke highly of the outcomes of the meeting as well as Vietnam ’s defence cooperation initiatives.

Within the framework of ADMM+, General Thanh had bilateral meetings with the delegation heads of China , the US , Laos , Cambodia , Singapore , Thailand , Brunei , the Philippines , Indonesia , Malaysia , New Zealand and Australia .

He also hosted a banquet in honour of the delegation heads of countries participating in ADMM+.

The same day, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Khac Nghien received Chief of the Defence Force of Australia General Angus Houston, who came to Vietnam for ADMM+./.